Thoughts about motorcycles, tools that work (or don't), travel, and occasionally politics. Places I've gone, routes that were special, and food I've found along the way.
And, thankfully, not too much of any of it.

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Monday, December 22, 2014

Adventure vs Dual Sport Riding

The last Christmas present has been
wrapped and the last package posted. Now it's time to relax and
reflect on the recent events. As I've mentioned before, I'll be
presenting a seminar on adventure travel at the NETRA Expo. In the
next few posts I'll be exploring some of the topics I'll be covering.
This will have the dual purpose of clarifying my thoughts and sharing
them with those of you who can't attend.

Adventure riding and dual sport riding
are terms that are often interchanged. It doesn't help that the
marketing wonks, having found a new market, enthusiastically embrace
both terms in an effort to confuse the public into thinking that
their products are suitable for every form of travel. They want to
narrowly define the market for their new models as anyone who has
seen a dirt road and has a wallet thick enough to support their
delusions.

Here in New England dual sport riding
is essentially an enduro without the timing and competition. Single
track through the woods with 250-525cc bikes that have somehow become
street legal, either from the factory or with a conversion kit. A KTM
350 EXC or a Kawi KDX 220 with a Baja kit are examples of this. There
is usually a defined course with a route sheet to guide the way.
There may be hero sections for the
more skilled or foolish. It is generally a loop that starts
and ends at a parking lot where the transport vehicles can stay while
the riding is done.

If that is dual sport riding, I would
define adventure travel as being much the opposite. The bike can be
the same but the course is vastly different. The start and end points
are generally far apart and the course is only generally described.
It may be a combination of paved and dirt but is rarely single track.
It is a trip rather than an event.

However, saying that does not mean that
adventure travel is limited to cross-country or trans-global trips.
It might mean no more than going out for a weekend and exploring
local roads. This is the essence of adventure travel – Exploring!

The challenge is to follow the course
without getting lost and to overcome all obstacles in the path.
Roots, rocks, and mud are only some of the challenges along the way.

Adventure travel is more about the
destination and finding an interesting way to get there. Getting lost
is often a bonus because something new is discovered. You are riding
along and see a road sign, Higgengottem Hollow. Ever wondered what a
“Hollow” was? Turn off the path, ride down a dirt road, and an
hour later you have a good idea. When you get to the end take any
road from there and keep exploring. Eventually you will find your way
back to main road and if you don't, stop and ask somebody. They will
undoubtedly be happy to point the way and will probably tell you
anything you want to know about the history and activities of the
area.